A device for examining a body cavity

Abstract

A device ( 50 ) for examining a vagina, the device ( 50 ) adapted to be mounted to a handpiece ( 2 ) and for allowing air to be introduced into the vagina, the device ( 50 ) comprising a tubular probe ( 1 ) having a first, foreward end ( 4 ) and a second, rearward end ( 5 ); and a sealing element ( 6 ) disposed adjacent to the foreward end ( 4 ) of the tubular probe ( 1 ), the sealing element ( 6 ) adapted to act as a seal for the vagina to reduce egress of fluid therefrom by sealing against a circumferential zone of the internal tissue defining a vaginal orifice, the tubular probe ( 1 ) having a first lateral entry port ( 11 ) that allows for an elongate implement ( 15 ) to be removably mounted in the device ( 50 ) and to be passed through the tubular probe ( 1 ) for introduction into the vagina, such that the implement ( 15 ) is manipulable by a user, wherein fluid being introduced into said vagina via the tubular probe ( 1 ) is delivered via a conduit ( 51 ) from a pump ( 52 ), and a regulator ( 54 ) fluidly connected to the conduit ( 51 ) regulates the fluid to be within at least one predetermined range of pressure between at least an upper limit and a lower limit.

1 . A device for examining a vagina, the device adapted to be mounted to a handpiece and for allowing air to be introduced into the vagina, the device comprising:
 a tubular probe having a first, foreward end and a second, rearward end; and   a sealing element disposed adjacent to the foreward end of the tubular probe, the sealing element adapted to act as a seal for the vagina to reduce egress of fluid therefrom by sealing against a circumferential zone of the internal tissue defining a vaginal orifice,   the tubular probe having a first lateral entry port that allows for an elongate implement to be removably mounted in the device and to be passed through the tubular probe for introduction into the vagina, such that the implement is manipulable by a user,   wherein fluid being introduced into said vagina via the tubular probe is delivered via a conduit from a pump, and a regulator fluidly connected to the conduit regulates the fluid to be within at least one predetermined range of pressure between at least an upper limit and a lower limit.   
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a pressure gauge is in fluid communication with the conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the pressure gauge is integrally housed with the regulator. 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the regulator is a turn knob regulator. 
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the upper limit is just below where over-pressuring of air occurs in the vagina, and the lower limit is just above a pressure needed to keep the vagina inflated for viewing. 
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is air. 
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the regulator is an automated regulator including a pressure sensor and electronic control unit, and the regulator automatically regulates said air pressure within the at least one predetermined range. 
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one predetermined range is a plurality of predetermined ranges that is selectively usable. 
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the regulator includes an alarm operably connected to the electronic unit that is activatable outside the at least one predetermined range. 
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a filter to remove the build-up of air in the vagina. 
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed  claim 1 , further including a fluid entry port associated with the tubular probe to allow for the introduction of fluid into the vagina. 
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the fluid is acetic acid. 
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tubular probe includes a guide means disposed adjacent the second, rearward end, the guide means adapted to guide the implement within the tubular probe. 
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the guide means is a substantially V-shaped guide member. 
     
     
         15 . The device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the guide means is a substantially keyhole-shaped guide member. 
     
     
         16 . The device as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the guide means is a substantially ring-shaped guide member.